Is Eyelash Perming Safe?

I see how eyelash perming could sound enticing: You'd have perfectly flipped-up lashes 24-hours a day, no eyelash curler required. The way it works is that your lashes are treated with a special glue, and then wrapped around a mini sponge-y roller. While holding your eyes tightly shut, the perming solution is applied to the upturned lash, and then it is left to set for about five minutes. The result is that "wide-awake" look, which lasts for two to three months. But before you get too excited,

Eyes are extremely sensitive organs, and they react differently than other parts of your body to certain chemicals. Even if the chemicals do not come in direct contact with the eye (which they absolutely should not during this process), they can still cause severe reactions, particularly if you wear contact lenses. These reactions can include anything from mild irritation to a full-blown allergic reaction, even blindness.

While the normal eyelash has a lifespan of about five months, perming chemicals can be damaging to the lash, making them fall out even sooner.

If you do choose to give it a try, make sure that the person performing the procedure has completed a training course and has the certificate to show for it, as such courses are available through most cosmetology institutions. Have any of you tried this procedure? If so, what did you think?

I just wanted to take a quick second and respond to this post. We have been doing eyelash perming in our studio, in Canada for over 10 years now. This is a beautiful and safe procedure ..."if" you choose a trained professional. The results are amazing and our clients LOVE eyelash perming.
We discuss eyelash perming in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_imd4wNUAmI

I just wanted to take a quick second and respond to this post. We have been doing eyelash perming in our studio, in Canada for over 10 years now. This is a beautiful and safe procedure ..."if" you choose a trained professional. The results are amazing and our clients LOVE eyelash perming. We discuss eyelash perming in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_imd4wNUAmI

4 years

I have short, stick straight eyelashes. Really have to work an eyelash curler to get even a minimal amt of curl. I've done the eyelash perms several times and have NEVER had a problem. No stinging, no eye damage, no eyelash fall out. I still have to use a curler but with the eyelash perms using the curler is now a breeze. I love the eyelash perm!

4 years

im getting mine done tonight, i will report back tomorrow

4 years

I've done it before and I loved it. I can't recall exactly how much it costed but I think it was about $60 and it lasted 3-4 months.

4 years

I had this done, and despite the fact I had a patch test two days before had a very bad reaction to the chemicals immediately. I am still seeing the doctor who has prescribed creams and antihistamine - it looked like I'd been punched in the face as the skin around my eyes swelled up and were very red and sore. I have not been able to wear make up for one month, so the whole of idea of looking better with this procedure has somewhat failed. Not recommended.

4 years

Not silly at all. It works wonderfully and the results are BEAUTIFUL Curled Lashes. The perm does NOT get in your eyes. You just lay back with your eyes shut....Works great! And looks great too!

4 years

I had it done about 4 weeks ago. My left eye was much more curled than the right eye. Too much even. I don't like it at all. It's hard to put mascara on without it getting all over your eyelid. I won't do it again and I can't wait for it to grow out. Big mistake.

5 years

Last year I permed my eyelashes along with my mother. This was very tempting to me because my lashes are very stubborn and straight (and long).
The smell was very strong (like getting your hair permed). You can't blink while the curler and chemical is on (for about 20 minutes). My mother was very sensitive to this process and her eyes were watery and red for the rest of the day. I was ok however, what I didnt like was that the consultant did not take the time to make sure every little lash was included in the perm. This treatment has been around in South America for many years now although the newest fad is applying permanent lashes between your natural lashses.

5 years

I have stick straight lashes that do not stay curled even with a curler and good mascara so I got them permed. It worked really well and lasted a couple months. I went back a second time and it went well again. The woman performing the perm told me that I should consider stopping though as it will eventually damage my lashes. She said I have such "thick, beautiful lashes! You don't want to damage them!" So I think perming a lot can thin them out. I haven't been back for years but plan on doing it again for the summer.

5 years

I'm gonna try it today and honestly, yes, I'm a contact lenses user, but there's risk with everything you do everyday, ifyou freak yourself out, then seriously life isn't worth living. To be able to go makeup free this summer and not spend a half hour getting ready to go to work or take my son to the park is great! I actually got my eyeliner tattooed on and I LOVE it! The same lady did my sister's 19 years ago, she did the retouch 5 years ago, then a year ago, my sister went back for her eyebrows then tried the eyelash curling a week later. To be honest, I wouldn't say I'm completely vain, but there is something inside every woman where when you take the time to make yourself up, you walk out the door with a lil bit more confidence and yes I know confidence starts from within. But's it's nice to get compliments once in awhile, face it, it makes us feel great when someone notices and tells us how great we look!
I have to admit getting my eyeliner tattooed on was horrible! I'd rather go through another natural labor, but after the swollen look went away a few days later, I was actually very pleased. But never once did the lady doing it make me feel like she was going to slip up or anything. She was patient and very careful and did her best to make me feel comfortable. There's no way of knowing how reptuable a salon is. You can always check with the BBB, or ask around? Get word of mouth. I'm just lucky this lady I went to has been in business for 25 years and always staying on top of things...so I completely trust her, especially since my own family member's been going to her for years.
Good luck to the rest of you who chose to do it!

5 years

To those who have tried it, is there a way to determine that a salon is reputable? Can you give me any hints about when you first visit a salon that may signal whether its good or bad? How do you even know a certificate is real? I have no salon experience (meaning never been to one) but do appreciate the convenience of this treatment for all the reasons previously mentioned and would like to try it. BTW It's always confusing how many people (>20 above) post comments that have no actual information about the topic, especially when the whole point of looking at this article is to gleam information about a procedure.

5 years

-It wasn't as bad as these reviews say. It was actually very easy going and worked fabulous! Now I don't have to worry about eyelash curlers for 2 months. It only took about 20 minutes and $20.
I wasn't too afraid to get it done because my mother used to get it a lot too and she said it's harmless. FYI she still has very thick eyelashes today.
The perm solution is very minor compared to the hair perm solution. So it's not that dangerous.
Honestly, if you're skeptic you should try it! It looks great. More natural than eyelash extensions. It also lasts longer.

5 years

Yeah I've had this done in Japan. Curlers don't really work for me. Plus, if you use it every day like I have to, your eyelashes can fall out. My eyelashes are really long and they point straight down, so it's a huge pain. I've had no problems doing this in Japan, I do it whenever I visit and they stay up for 2 to 3 months.

5 years

I had this procedure done just recently and the results were amazing. It was not painful, nothing got into my eyes, it cost 30 dollars, and I was very happy with the end results. I mean come on there are people out there who are willing to get pieces of their skin removed to get thinner,I don't think getting your lashes curled is anything to panic over.

6 years

Just got back from Thailand and got my eyelashes permed at the mall. It cost $9 and they came out perfect...no complaints, no allergic reaction. Not saying everyone should run out and get it due to differences in tolerance to products and such, but for me -a girl who previously had stick straight, but full lashes- I'm so glad I had it done. It took around 45 minutes from start to finish.

6 years

i got my tinted in asia, and it works great! i had no negative reactions and it only cost the equivalent of $10. it does take an hour but i think it's well worth it.

6 years

I have had my eyelashes permed and tinted many times – it is fabulous and worth every penny!! I too thought it was bizarre when I first heard of it and steered clear of this beauty process until I saw a girlfriends results. It leaves your eyelashes perfectly fanned upwards in a nice rounded swoop – unlike an eyelash curler which actually bends/crimps your eyelashes rather than “curling” them. My reason for exploring this new beauty fad: I am blonde with light blonde eyelashes that leave me looking like I am 10 years old without mascara. I’m also a contact lens wearer and mascara constantly irritates my lenses. BUT NOW I have them permed and tinted black. I wake up to perfectly curled black lashes and always look as though I have eye makeup on. Just out of the shower or during a day at the beach – I no longer stress about running mascara. My daily routine now consists of foundation and a sweep of bronzer then I am out the door. Again, I really think it is worth every penny!

6 years

I had my eyelashes permed and loved it! My eyelashes are not only stick straight and impossible to curl with anything else, they actually grow downward, not out. Some, even bend down instead of up!! Please don't judge as silly until you have issues like mine to deal with. It is expensive in my area and am looking for a kit I can do at home myself. It is a big time saver when putting on make up.

I have long straight eyelashes and its blonde and not curl. I just got eyelashes perm and tint last month,its so beautiful,voluminouse curl.I have fabulous lashes after 70minutes. It's wonderful and safe.

I have long straight eyelashes and its blonde and not curl. I just got eyelashes perm and tint last month,its so beautiful,voluminouse curl.I have fabulous lashes after 70minutes. It's wonderful and safe.

My friends talked me into getting this done when I was in Mexico City and I hated the entire 40 minute perming and dyeing ordeal and swore I would never do it again. That said, I am now OBSESSED with how good they look. I'm blonde with long lashes that were very fair. I wake up every morning with dark curly lashes and they look AMAZING. You never have to wear mascara, which is great for people who are rubbing their eyes all the time (moi) and it's one less thing to worry about. Stings like hell and you have to make sure they don't drip perm solution on your lower lashes or they'll kink but TOTALLY worth it.

I first heard about eyelash perming about 22 years ago, read about the risks and decided to stick with the eyelash curler. Fast forward to about 3 or 4 years ago: Nothing - and I mean Nothing - stops them from being completely stick straight. I'm 41 and I don't know what has changed but I even invested in a heated curler from Japan and that didn't keep the curl for more than 2 minutes. I never thought I'd be trying the perm thing, but I did and Loved, Loved, Loved it. It took years off of me - absolutely unbelievable. So I went for the third time today (same salon)and it didn't work. Am very disappointed. Does anyone know if things like fatigue or hormones can affect result?